Wire line rotatable circulating head



y 4, 1939- J. F. BOZEMAN 2,164,606

WIRE LINE ROTATABLE GIRCULIATING HEAD Filed Sept. 20, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l liliiilfililili Y/H In John F Bozeman July 4, 1939. J BQZEMAN 1 2,164,606

WIRE LINE ROTATABLE GIRCULATING HEAD Filed Sept. 20, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @i wlm/ John F. Bozeman July-4, 1939.

J. F. BOZEMAN WIRE LINE ROTATABLE GIRCULATING HEAD 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 20, 1937 Ja/m F Bozeman Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIRE LINE ROTAT ABLE CIRCULATING 10 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in circulating and pack-off devices. It is the practice in the oil fields to operate various tools and devices through the tubular drill stem or well casing on a cable or wire line. While lowering or raising said devices, the circulation or pumping of the drilling fluid through the drill stem is continued and therefore, some means must be provided for packing off around the cable or line. This pack-off means is ordinarily in the form of a head which is fastened to the upper end of the drill stern and the head is so constructed that the drilling fluid may be circulated through the rotating head.

The usual devices which are operated through the drill stem or casing by means of a cable or wire line are swabs, casing perforators, core catchers and various kinds of fishing tools. Many of these fishing tools, as Well as other devices, are adapted to be released from their set position in the drill stem or casing by a tubular release member or sleeve, which is dropped downwardly through the stem or pipe, so as to telescope or engage over the tool or a portion thereof to release the same and permit its removal.

The usual type of heads for packing off around a cable or wire line are attached to the upper end of the stem and must be entirely removed therefrom to permit a release member to be introduced or dropped downwardly through the stem. Further, many times the device is run in on a line or cable without the pumping or circulating being continued, in which case it would not be necessary to fasten the head to the stem, yet with the present heads now in use, said heads must be fastened or attached to the stem whenever the wire line is run therethrough because no other means of supporting the head is provided.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved head adapted to be supported at the upper end of a drill stem or pipe and having means for packing off around a cable or wire line, said head also being constructed so that the drilling fluid may be circulated or pumped through the stem while the cable or line is extending through said head.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved pack-off head of the character described, having a releasing member for releasing devices set within the stem or carried thereby, said member being so mounted on the head that it is out of the way and does not interfere with the normal operation of the head, the mounting of said member permitting the ready detachment or disengagement of the member to allow it to fall downwardly through the stem to perform its releasing function, without removing the head from its position on the stem; detachment of the member being readily accomplished regardless of whether or not the drilling fluid is being pumped or circulated through the stem.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pack-off head for a wire line which is arranged to rest on a support at the upper end of the drill stem when a line is being run therethrough, whereby the head may be readily removed without loosening any fastening means; there being means provided for attaching or securing the head to the stem when the pump is operating to circulate fluid through the stem and head.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pack-off head for a wire line having means for visibly indicating a leakage past the packing means with the head and also being so constructed that the head may be lifted or removed from the stem by its engagement with the device secured to the wire line, when said device is pulled upwardly or raised from the drill stem.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved support for a pack-off head, when it isdesired not to fasten the head to the upper end of the drill stem, to prevent the engagement of the threads of the head and the stem and eliminate the possibility of any damage to the threads by the jarring or bouncing of the head or rotation of the stem. Also by preventing the accidental engagement of the threads damage to the wire line extending through the head is prevented when said line is pulled upwardly and the tool on the lower end thereof reaches the upper end of the well and contacts the head, whereby said'head is lifted with the tool and no unnecess'ary strain is placed on line, as. would be by a sudden stop.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be :more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section of the upper end of a well casing and drill stem with a pack-off head, constructed in accordance with the invention, supported on the latter,

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the head showing the same supported on the upper end of the drill stem,

Figure 3 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 86 of Figure 2,

Figure '7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 'll of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 86 of Figure 2,

Figure 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional View, taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 2,

Figure 10 is a perspective View of the clampingcollar, and

Figure 11 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the head threaded onto the upper end or" the drill stem.

In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates a well casing which extends through the bore of a well and a T H is connected in the upper portion of said casing. A horizontal fiow line i2 is connected in the T I! and communicates with the interior of the well casing. The extreme upper end of the casing is open and terminates below the derrick floor 13. The usual rotary table id is mounted to rotate on the floor l3 and a drill stem l5 extends axially through the table M and through the well casing, l0. Suitable means (not shown) connects the rotary table il with the drill stem 15, whereby the rotation of the table will impart rotation to said stem. The stem or pipe carries the usual drill bit (not shown) at its lower end and as said stem is rotated, the drilling operation is performed. All of the above described parts are of the usual construction and are therefore, subject to variations.

The upper end of the drill stem I5 is externally screw threaded, as shown in Figure 2, and has the lower end of a tool joint or coupling I6 mounted thereon. The upper end of the coupling is, of course, provided With the usual internally screw threaded socket !l and also has an axial bore i8 extending therethrough. The coupling being at the upper end of the drill stem, is located above the rotary table M.

In lowering various devices to the bottom of the well casing, the wire line A is of course lowered axially through the drill stem I5 and casing it, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. It may he. desired, while the line A is extending through the stem iii, to maintain the circulation of a drilling fiuid through the stem. In such an instance, it is necessary to pack off around the cable A, where by the loss of pressure and of fluid is, eliminated. Also, it may be desirable to rotate the stern l5 while the line or cable A is being lowered ther e. through and therefore, the pack off means must be such as to permit a rotation of said stem while a seal is maintained around the line or cable; A,

To pack off around the line A to permit the maintenance of a circulation of drilling fluid, as well as to permit a rotation of the stem I5, a head B is provided. The details of this head are clearly shown in Figure 2 and said head in cludes a body or shell 23 which is formed with axial bore 25. A depending externally screw threaded shank 22 is provided at the lower end of the body 23. The lower end of the shank 22 may rest upon a split clamping member 23, which member is supported upon the upper end of the tool joint or coupling IS. The clamp includes two substantially semi-circular sections or jaws which are pivoted together at 24. The opposite ends of the sections are adapted to be fastened to each other by a pivoted latch 25.

A tubular sleeve or tripping member 26 has its upper end disposed within the bore 2| of the body 23 and its lower end depends axially into the amaeee upper end of the drill stem ES. The tripping member 26 has radial openings 2'! formed diametrically opposite each other, at its upper end, and these openings are adapted to be engaged by pins 28, which are formed on the inner ends of a pair of screws 29. These screws are threaded in radial openings 32 which are provided in the body 20 above the shank 22. Manifestly, the engagement of the pins 28 within the openings 2? of the tripping member 26 serve to hold said member within the bore 25 of the body. When the trip member is in position within the bore, a pair of elongate slots or openings 3| are located opposite the clamping member 23. The slots 3! extend vertically in the member and are disposed diametrically opposite each other, whereby diametrically opposed dowel pins 32, which are mounted on the pivoted sections of the clamping member 23, are engaged within. said slot. When the pins 32 are engaging within the slots 3i, it will be evident that the clamp 23 may move only a limited, vertical distance with relation to the tripping member 26. When the latch member 25, of the clamp 23 is swung to disengage the outer end of the sections of said clamp and the i sections swung apart, the pins 32 will be disengaged from the slots 3|.

The upper end of the bore of the body 20 is enlarged at 33 and the extreme upper end of this enlarged portion is internally screw threaded to P receive the lower end of a supporting shell or housing 34. When the housing and body are connected together as shown in Figure 2, a set screw 35 extends through a radial opening in the upper portion of the body 20 and engages a recess in the housing 34 to prevent a disconnection of the housing from the body. An inner tubular mandrel 35 extends axially through the nous-- ing 34 and body 20 and has its extreme lower end located within the bore 2! of said body, being disposed adjacent the upper end of the sleeve member 26. The mandrel is formed with an external annular flange 36 which is supported on a flexible ring 31, which rings rests upon an internal shoulder 38 provided within the housing 34, Ball bearing races 39 rest on the flange 36 and balls 39" are confined within the races. A retaining collar 40 is, threaded into the upper end of the housing 34 and engages the uppermost race, to hold, the parts in position. A set screw 4| extends radially through the upper end of the housing 34 and, has its inner end engaging the collar 40 to hold the same in its position within said housing.

Obviously, with the above arrangement, the body 20 and thehousing 34 may rotate with relation to theinner mandrel 35, such rotation being facilitated by the ball bearings 39. Below the shoulder 38, the housing 34 is formed with an annular chamber 42 and inclined ports 43 extend from said; chamber to the exterior of the housing 34. Any pressure which may enter the chamber 42 can escape through the ports. Confined within the enlarged portion 33 of the body 20, are a plurality of packing rings or elements 44. These rings are held within this portion of the bore by the lower end of the housing 34 and the inner periphery of each ring 44 engages the outer surface of the inner mandrel 35, so as to pack off around said mandrel. Since the lower end or" the housing 34 engages the uppermost packing ring 44, it will be manifest that pressure on the ring may be varied by screwing the housing 34 further into the body 20.

It will be evident that the rings 44 pack off around the mandrel and should any leakage past these rings occur, such leakage will enter the chamber 42 in the lower end of the housing 34. From this chamber, the fluid or other leakage will pass outwardly through the ports 43 and the operator can readily observe the escape of this fluid and he may then tighten the housing 34 with the relation to the body 20, whereby the packing rings 44 may be placed under further pressure.

The upper end of the inner mandrel 35 is screw threaded to receive a T 45. One end of an inlet hose 46 is connected to the T, whereby drilling fluid may be introduced into said T. Such drilling fluid will pass downwardly through the mandrel 35, tripping member 26 and into the drill stem [5. The upper end of the T is formed with a reduced axial opening 41 through which the line or cable A extends. A packing chamber 48 having suitable packing elements 49 mounted therein is formed on the upper end of the T above the opening 41. A packing gland 59 threaded into the top of the T is arranged to exert a pressure on the packing members or elements 49. When the wire line or cable A is eX- tending up through the T and downwardly through the mandrel 35, member 26, and drill stem l5; the packing elements 49 will engage the outer surface of said line so as to pack off therearo-und. Thus, the drilling fluid which is under pressure and which is entering the T 45 cannot escape upwardly past the line or cable A.

In operation, assuming that it is desired to circulate the drilling fluid with or without rotating the drill stem l5, the parts are assembled, as shown in Figure 1, with the shank 22 of the body 28 is threaded into the upper end of the coupling l6, as clearly shown in Figure 11. The drilling fluid is introduced through the line 46 and flows downwardly through the mandrel 35, tripping member 26 and drill stem !5. A leakage of the fluid pressure past the line A is prevented by the packing elements 49 and the leakage of pressure upwardly past the mandrel 35 and the member 35 around the exterior of these parts is prevented by the packing rings 44 located within the body 29. Thus, it will be seen that any suit-- able device such, as a fishing tool, core catcher,

or the like, may be lowered or raised through the drill stem while the drilling fluid is circulating therethrough.

With the body 20 threaded into the joint [6,

which is attached to the drill stem l5, it will be evident that a rotation of said stem will impart a rotation through the coupling as well as through the body 20, to the housing 34 attached to the upper end of said body. This rotation of the housing 34 will cause the same to rotate on the bearings 39, while the inner mandrel 35 remains stationary then to have its upper end secured to the T 45 and the wire inlet line or pipe '45. The tripping member 26 is of course carried by the pin 28 of the screws 29 which are mounted in the body 20 and said sleeve will naturally rotate with the body, whenever the drill stem is rotated.

If a device or tool has been set in the lower end of the drill stem or well casing and it is necessary to drop a tubular member or sleeve downwardly through the stem or casing so as to engage over the device and bring about its release, it is only necessary to unscrew the retaining screws 29. As these screws move outwardly of the body 20, the pins 28 on the inner end of said screws will disengage from the openings 21 in the upper end of the sleeve or tripping member 26, whereby the tripping member is released at this point.

Since the clamps 23 is not used, the dowel pins 32 do not engage the slots 3| of said sleeve 26 and withdraw of the pin 2% will permit the sleeve to fall. Therefore, the tripping member 26 may be released without removing the head B from its position and therefore, a seal is maintained around the wire line or cable A, while the tripping member 26 is falling through the stem or casing. It is pointed out that the release of the sleeve 25 is accomplished from the exterior of the device, by packing off the screws 29.

In some instances, it may be desirable not to circulate the drilling fluid, while the wire line A is lowering a device therethrough. In such instance, the clamp 23 is used, and the shank 22 of the body 20 rests upon the clamp, as clearly shown in Figure 2. When this is done, the body 26 is spaced from the joint l6 and is not an integral part thereof. To release the tripping member or sleeve 26 it is necessary to move the screws 23 outwardly of the body 20, so that the pins 28 on the inner end of said screws will disengage the opening 21 in said member. The downward movement or falling of the sleeve member 26, will be prevented however, by the engagement of the dowel pins 32 in the elongate slots 3i of the member 26. By unlatching the sections of the clamp 23 and flinging said sections outwardly, the pins 32 are disengaged from the slots 3!, thereby permitting the tripping member 25 to fall downwardly and engage over any device which may be set within the stem or casing.

The use of the clamp 23 of course depends upon the fact whether or not the drilling fluid is being circulated or not. When the drilling fluid is not being circulated the clamp will be used at all times as the clamp prevents the accidental engagement of the threads of the shank 22 and of the socket ll of the coupling Hi. This accidental engagement will throw a stress or strain on the thread and when the wire line A is run upwardly, the tool at its lower end engages the lower end of the sleeve 25 or the lower end of the mandrel 35. Continued raising of the line A would, of course, raise the head. Should the thread of the shank 22 and the socket ll be partially engaged, the line A would have to part or the engaged thread tripped. Also if the clamp were not used and the body 23 not connected to the coupling it any rotation of the drill stem or movement of the head would injure or damage a thread of the shank 22 and the socket l7 due to the bouncing or jarring of the body 20.

From the above, it will be seen that an improved head which packs ofi around a wire line or cable A under all conditions of operation is provided. The provision of the tripping member 26 permits a device which has been set in the lower end of the stem or casing and which is releasable by a tubular sleeve member, to be disengaged or released without removing the head from its operating position. The sleeve 26 and the fact that it is releasably attached or mounted in the head are important features of the in.- vention, as well as the clamp when circulation of the drilling fluid is not required. When the clamp is employed, the raising of the head from the coupling may be accomplished by running the line A upwardly, until the tool at its lower end engages the lower end of the sleeve 26, or the lower end of the mandrel 35 suspends from the upper end of the head. Continued raising of the line A would, of course raise the head.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A circulating and pack-off device for wire lines including, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatably mounted on the mandrel and adapted tobe supported above a tubular drill stem, whereby a wire line may pass through the mandrel and stem, means above the mandrel for packing oil around the wire line, a sleeve member releasably secured to the body, and means operable from the exterior of the body for releasing said sleeve member to permit it to fall downwardly through the drill stem.

2. A circulating and pack-oil" device for wire lines including, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatably mounted on the mandrel and adapted to be supported above a tubular drill stem, whereby a wire line may pass through the mandrel and stem, a T attached to the upper end of the mandrel and having a fluid line connected therein for conducting drilling fluid to the mandrel and drill stem, said T having an opening in its upper end through which the Wire line extends, means carried by the T for packing oii around the line, a sleeve member releasably secured to the body, and means operable from the exterior of the body for releasing said sleeve member to permit it to fall downwardly through the drill stem.

3. A circulating and pack-cit device for wire lines including, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatably mounted on the mandrel and adapted to be supported above a tubular drill stem, whereby a wire line may pass through the mandrel and stem, means above the mandrel for packing off around the wire line, a sleeve member releasably secured to the body and depending therefrom, means for packing off between the mandrel and body, and means operable from the exterior of the body for releasing said sleeve member to permit it to fall downwardly through the drill stem.

4. A circulating and pack-ofi" device for wire lines including, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatably mounted on the mandrel and extending therebelow and having an axial bore for receiving the mandrel, said body being adapted to be mounted above a drill stem so that a wire line may pass downwardly through the mandrel, body and stem, means carried by the upper end of the mandrel for packing off around said line, the body having an annular packing chamber surrounding the mandrel, packing means within the chamber for packing oii around said mandrel, means for establishing communication between the exterior of the body and the packing chamber, whereby any leakage past the packing means in said chamber is visible from the exterior oi. the body, a sleeve member releasably secured in the bore of the body below the mandrel, and means operable from the exterior of the body for releasing said sleeve member to permit it to fall downwardly through the drill stem.

5. A circulating and pack-oi? device for wire lines including, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatable on the mandrel, a split clamp adapted to rest on the upper end of a drill stem and having the body supported thereon, whereby a wire line may pass through the mandrel and stem, means carried by the upper end of the mandrel for packing on; around the wire line, and a sleeve member releasably secured to the body and depending therefrom.

6. A circulating and pack-0d device for wire lines including, a tubular mandrel, a body ro tatable on the mandrel, a split clamp adapted to rest on the upper end of a drill stem and having the body supported thereon, whereby a wire line may pass through the mandrel and stem, means carried by the upper end of the mandrel for packing off around the wire line, a sleeve member releasably secured to the body and depending through the clamp, said sleeve member having elongate slots therein, and pins on said clamp for engaging said slots to limit the movement of said clamp with relation to the sleeve.

'7. A circulating and pack-off device for wire lines including, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatably mounted on the mandrel and adapted to be connected with a tubular drill stem, whereby a wire line may pass through the mandrel and stem, means above the mandrel for packing off around the wire line, a tripping sleeve member releasably secured to the body and depending into the drill stem, and means operable from the exterior of the body for releasing said tripping member to permit it to fall downwardly through the drill stem.

8. A circulating and pack-off device for wire lines including, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatably mounted on the mandrel and extending therebelow and having an axial bore for receiving the mandrel, said body being adapted to be mounted above a drill stem so that a wire line may pass downwardly through the mandrel, body and drill Stem, means carried by the upper end of the mandrel for packing off around said line, the body having an annular packing chamber surrounding the mandrel, packing means within the chamber for packing off around said mandrel, means for establishing communication between the exterior of the body and the packing chamber whereby any leakage past the packing means in said chamber is visible from the exterior of the body, and a split clamp adapted to rest on the upper end of the drill stem and having the body supported thereon, tripping member releasably secured in the bore of the body below the mandrel and depending through the clamp into the stem, said tripping member having elongate slots there in, and pins carried by said clamp for engaging said slots to limit the movement of said clamp with relation to the said sleeve, said pins adapted to disengage from said slots when said clamp is swung open.

9. A circulating and pack-off device including, a drill stem, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatably mounted on the mandrel and adapted to be supported above the drill stem, a sleeve member releasably secured to the body, whereby a wire line may pass through the mandrel, sleeve member and stem, and means for supporting said sleeve member movable from said sleeve for releasing the same to permit it to fall downwardly through said drill stem.

10. In a circulating and pack-01f device for wire lines, the combination of a drill stem, a tubular mandrel, a body rotatably mounted on the mandrel adapted to be connected to the drill stem, and a sleeve member releasably secured to the body whereby a wire line may pass through the mandrel, sleeve and stem, the sleeve member being releasable to permit it to fall downwardly through the drill stem while said stem and body is being rotated slowly and fluid is being circulated through the body and stem.

JOHN F. BOZEMAN. 

